The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1887-11-12
TOWSONTOWN, Md, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1887
he things she had bartered SO much

for.
He went into the great old library,
which was almost the only room in the
house which remained unchanged, and
tried to collect his thoughts. How
could he tell her was the question that
reiterated itself though his brain, and for
the first time in his life Donald McKeon
was coward.
The thought came to him of how she
who had chafed at her bonds when they
were gilded could bear the closer rela-
tions that Strengthened income would
entail.
And he resolved that this, at least, he
would spare her. After all his obliga-
tions were met there would be some
thing left, not more than she had often
lavished on one dinner, perhaps but
still enough to keep her from absolute
want. Jessie should have this and he
should go away and work for her and
dream of her, but never again trouble
her of his presence.
He sat down and wrote her a letter,
telling her this simply, directly, and
with the great love he bore her breath
ing through every word.
The servant told him she would not
be in for some time and he took the
note himself up to her room.
1t was dainty place, bright as un-
limited wealth and an exquisite taste
could make it.
He left the note on her toilet table,
lingering moment to touch caressing-
ly costly articles that were scattered
about, all breathing of her presence.
When he returned to the parlor the
early dusk was falling. A servent came
bringing lights, but he dismissed him
impatiently, and few moments later
heard the sound of wheels and the
sweet voice of his wife in the hall giving
some direction.
At length the silence became unbear-
able, and he seated himself at the piano.
In his bachelor days music had been
his passion, but in these later years of
feverish struggle he had found no time
for it. But when his fingers touched
the keys all the despair, the pain and
longing in his heart found voice in the
rich chords that filled the room.
He played on and gradually the bur-
den lifted. Music gave him the COM
fort she always gives to those who truly
love her. 1t was no longer a wall of
despair, but pean of thanksgiving for
victory gained.
So absorbed was he that he did not
hear a soft footstep enter the room. A
hand was laid on his shoulder, and
tremulous voice said:
"Donald -
His hand came down with sudden
discord on the keysl 1t was the first
time Jessie had called him by that name.
He turned and saw her standing there
in her soft cashmere. The freight was
sending long rays down the stately
gloom of the library, and she look
ed very beautiful against the rosy back
ground.
..You read my letter. Jessie %
eyes; and | am sorry for your sake,
Donald !; you have worked so hard for
me-"
"Do not think hard ofme, Jessie. tits
not for myself care. I am not afraid
of poverty. But, oh, my child, if l
could save you from its sting. If it
were at the sacrifice of my life, heaven
is my witness, would not spare it..
She came close to him and laid her
hand in his.
"Donald, there is better thing you
can give me than wealth can buy
Give me back the love so madly threw
away. Let me work with and help
you, and 1 will bless the day that made
us poor!"
"Jessie," he said, "are you sure of
this? Do not try to deceive me. Do
not say it if it is not true. l could go
away and bear it, but to open my heart
to this new hope would kill me-"
"Donald, do you think that l am
made of stone-that I could know all
your kindness and patience all these
years, and not learn to love your oh,
so often have l longed to kneel at your
feet and ask forgiveness, but l believe
1 had forfeited your love by my folly"
"And you will not regret the loss of
wealth and luxury" ?" he said, incredu-
lously "and can be happy with only
my love?"
"You forget that papa and l were
poor before married you, Donald, and
l was happier then than l have been
since l learned to hate the things that
cost me so much, and to envy the poor
est woman, happy in her husbands
love-"
He turned the sweet tear-wet face to
the freight, and bent down and looked
into her eyes. And then he took her
close in his arms
"My Darlington my daring ]" he
said, softly.
And in their hearts there was a glad
ness that all the treasures of the world
could not buy.